RED CROSS WORK.

North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13936, 19 July 1917, Page 8

RED CROSS WORK.

NGAPAEA BRANCH ANNUA] 1 REPORT. Tollowing is the lepoit of theKgnpaia branch of the Red Cioss Societ), lead at the annual meeting held on Wulut.-, da), Jul) 11th. — The Xgap.ua bianch of the Red Cross Souch has now comphted its second uai of woik. Little did we think that we should have to sew-and knit foi two long ■sens Pin God the need ioi bin.li sciucc iiia> not list much lougei \\c an thuikful tu -'know that among our Ngapava iboys there have been so far comparatively few casualties in the great ■'.* forward movement., We welcome home those who have returned and hope that they may soon 'be I'ostorod to health; we • extend our heartfelt sympathy to tlios'i in anxiety over sick and wounded sons; and .we Borrow for those who have made the great sacrifice for the Empire and for us. We have continued our custom of supplying each lad •who leaves for-camp with a parcel of comforts, aud a goodly number (15) of these have been given during the year. As most of the contents are the work of our inember's-fscarf, balaclava and two pairs of sox—this alone represents a good deal of work. Compared with last year's report the total of money collected and work done

nccnis lo liave fallen off a good deal, but when various tilings have ken taken into.consideration the amount ; of Nvork accomplished by our members is not a discreditable one, Our district consists of about sixty families. About half of these contribute in one way and another to the lied Cross funds through our branch, while a third, that is about twenty families, contribute work more or less regularly. Several of our most regular workers have been shorthaiuled in their homes this year. Add to this the fact that wo lost two enthusiastic members just after our last annual meeting, and also , that the second year of work is always a trying one', when enthusiasm is apt to flag, when some find that they liave been doing more than they can continue to do, and others find new and pressing responsibilities which cannot be put aside. When we realise all this, we are surprised that we have beeu able to do so much. Two special efforts have been made during the year, A concert was given in the spring by Mr Thomson's party and in June the Bed Cross-members undertook the catering at the Ngapara Dog Trials. The result of both efforts was well up to expectations, A considerable contribution of provisions was also sent to Oamaru at show time towards the catering which was done at the show, and a parcel of .clothing was collected and sent for the use of the Belgian refugees.

We would draw your attention to the fact that we have undertaken to supply a Saturday market in Oamaru when called upon. We trust that all ■will assist us with contributions of produce, vegetables, butter, creanl, eggs, eatables and anything else, Our office bearers . have remained the same throughout the year. Miss O'Connor completes her second year as secretary. She has been a very devoted secretary and has not missed a meeting during that time. Mrs Webber lias made an excellent treasurer and lias shown herself quite capable of looking after the "bawbees." During the year we

donated £4O to the British Red Cioss The aeoounts foi matciial nic still paid b) the Oamaui eentu\, nlnle our toil am c foi local excuses is deposited in the Poit Office Savings Bank, when it sencs the twofold piupose ot biing mg us in .1 little intciest and swcltmy the Gounnmcnt's available funds Oui accounts aie examined tunc A. ,U'ai \>\ Mi Tnci, Red Uoss auditoi At the hignming of tins no lost the senms of Mis O'Comioi as "cuttci out " Wo owe hci oui thanks toi eighteen months of \aluablc help This woik has since been dhueiill) done b\ His "Webbei and Mis Nicol Oui thanks aie due to the Hill Com nut tee toi the fiee use of the hall foi our meetings, .to the Patriotic Commit-., lee and the Dog Trial Committee for practical help and to all who have assisted us during the year. Our balance in the Savings Bank last year was £51135; money raised during the year'£l7 Is; expenditure (including. £lO to British Red Cross and £ll to the French Red.Cross, £fiti 8s; balance £3l Gs. '. The following is a list of work done during the .year: —Shirts 32, pyjamas 33, undervests 2, cholera belt 1, ten towels 32, face cloths G; sox 212 pairs, scarfs 10, niittens S pairs, bed-sox 3 pairs, cuffs 4 pairs, balaclavas 1,

METHODIST GUILD; Work returned to Red Cross—Flat swabs ISO, puff swabs COO. Unde'rvests—Miss Fan- 2, Miss Grcufcll 1, Mrs 1), Rae 2, Mis? Wansbrough and Hiss Li Wiiiisbrougli 1 each,-Mrs Markland 1. Shirts—Mrs Gardiner 2. Sox—Mrs Fair 3 pair, Miss Lane 1 paiv, Mrs Chase 1 pair, Mrs Gardiner 1 pair, Mrs Markland 3 pair, Mrs Irvine 1 pair each . Bed-sox—Mrs Markland 1 pair, Mrs 11. Sinclair and Mrs Glass 1 pair. Girdles—Mrs Farr 2. Gifts—Mrs Lane, 2 scarves; Mrs Couch, books.

PAPAKAIO RED CROS3. ANNUAL REPORT. •. The following is .the second annual report of the Papakaio. branch of the Red Cross Society of North Otago for the year ending June, 191.7: Membership, 11; officers—president, Mrs W. Doig; lion, secretary, Mrs 0. R. Borne; lion, treasurer, Miss Buick.

Meetings.—During .the year there have been twelve monthly meetings* and three special meetings. The average attendance has been 7.7. From this it is seen that,our meetings are not large, but with the willing help of a few outside workers, ami the faithful steady work of all our members, our supply of ( garments has, each month, been ready to send in to the Oanianu centre. We ivould like to extend a hearty welcome to new members. ,

Financially, we have had a most successful year'. In September, we held a jumble sale, which proved, a huge success, the result beiiig £155 2s. This effort was entered -into whole-heartedly by not only our members,' but all our friends in the.district. In November, Mrs Williams and party gave an enteriaiiiinent, which, with a shooting gallery and auction, resulted, in £26 being added to our funds', On'Anzac Day, with the help of the Rifle Club, we held a social afternoon at the local range, Ihe result being £l7, . The Bandage League has done good

duiing the jeai, They have scut in a laigo numbei of bnudagc» ot all kinds, The subscuptions fioiu the league toi the jeni amount to i,17. "W ltli subsenptions and donations the total amount laiscd foi the jeai is £245, fWu would/hcic thank the following foi help tlnougliont the )eai:—Woik: Mia Angus, Mis Buick, Miss Boine, Mis Jas, Doig, Mis A. Giaj, Mis Lawless, Mi Listei, Mis Nimmo, Mis das, "Wil son, and Mis Watson Monctai) gifts. Miss Bome, Mis Cameron, Mis Cassels, Mi Jas Doig, Mi and Mis P Dunn, Mrs A Giaj,MisW L. Gia), Mis Jas Gib son, Mis Lawless, Mis G. Lulingham, Mis Tsimmo, Mis J Paton, Mis R Paton, Our thanks'arc clue to the Hall Committee for the free use of the hall for pur meetings, and to all who have in any way assisted us,